Carpenter crushed to death by coconut tree

Police are investigating the death of George Edwards, a 42-year-old carpenter of Surat Drive, Triumph, East Coast Demerara, who died after a coconut tree fell on top of him on Sunday.

Police Headquarters reported that the incident occurred at around 11:30 hrs at Beterverwagting Housing Scheme.

According to the Police, Mark Sibdhannie, a 54-year-old construction worker hired Steve Edwards, a 30-year-old farmer and his brother, George (now deceased) to cut down a coconut tree.

It is alleged that Steve went up the coconut tree with a chainsaw to cut the top, while George was at the bottom of the tree with a rope to angle the tree when it fell.

A few minutes later, Steve claimed he told his brother the tree top was coming down, and suddenly, he heard an impact.

Upon exiting the coconut tree, Steve claimed he observed his brother lying motionless on the ground with a reddish substance coming from his mouth and head, which appeared to be blood. The coconut branches and part of the trunk were resting on his chest. George was rushed to the Georgetown Public Hospital where he was pronounced dead.

The body is presently lying at the GPHC’s Mortuary, awaiting a PME report.